CHICAGO –– The next of kin of a Cook County deceased man has filed a suit against the nursing home where he resided, claiming that the home's neglect in care caused health issues that ultimately led to his death.
Faylicia Hardwick, administrator of the estate of the deceased Milus Hardwick, filed a suit in Cook County Circuit Court on Feb. 26 against Lexington Health Care Center of Orland Park Inc., Lexington Health Care Systems of Orland Park Inc. and Lexington of Orland Park, alleging the staff at the nursing home where the deceased neglected to provide adequate care for the deceased Milus Hardwick.
Court documents state that Milus Hardwick was at risk of developing decubitus ulcer while under the care of the Lexington facility. The documents go on to claim that the staff failed to provide the “necessary care and treatment to prevent the development and deterioration of decubitus ulcers,” and subsequently on or after October 16, 2014, Hardwick developed a sacral decubitus ulcer.
The ulcer deteriorated causing Hardwick to be admitted to Lexington Orland Park where he had a feeding tube placed, the suit claims. The suit also asserts that it was documented that Hardwick was at risk for aspiration and it was recognized that he required monitoring.
On November 24, 2014 personnel noted that Hardwick was having problems and may have been suffering aspiration, the suit claims. On November 25, 2014, Hardwick was transferred to Palos Community Hospital suffering from acute respiratory distress and was transferred to the intensive care unit, the suit asserts.
Hardwick was diagnosed with septic shock, aspiration pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, fever, sepsis, and multisystem organ failure, according to the suit. Hardwick died on February 15, 2015 from, “conditions caused or exacerbated by his development of aspiration pneumonia at Lexington of Orland Park,” the suit claims
The suit asserts the defendants were negligent for a number of reasons including the failure to properly assess Milus Hardwick, failure to properly monitor Milus Hardwick, and failure to report or address signs and symptoms of aspiration.
The plaintiff is seeking a trial by jury of six persons and money for damages in excess of $50,000.
The plaintiff is being represented by Brian J. Holmes of Hurley, McKenna, and Mertz, P.C. in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court Case number 2016-L-002065.